Collapsible mesh box for carrying goods

ABSTRACT

A reusable, collapsible container intended for carrying goods that maintains its shape whether empty or heavily loaded, keeps contents level and stable when carried, is comfortable and easy to use, and lays flat when collapsed for easy storage and transportation, comprising a reinforced base, folding mesh walls, a center divider, snaps and Velcro connectors, reinforcing rods, two carrying handles, and one padded shoulder strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICTIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/692,986, filed Jun. 22, 2005. U.S. Pat. Nos.D461,638 S; Des. 433,810; 6,220,988 B1; 2004/0089660 A1; 2004/0084448A1; 2003/0189044 A1; 6,585,414 B2; 2,030,204; DE3830104; 4,930,697

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to containers intended for carrying goods,specifically reusable, collapsible totes. Historically, boxes and bagshave been the most common containers for carrying goods. Both of thesehave significant limitations. A variety of containers have beendeveloped to address these limitations. These containers and theircontinuing limitations are listed below:

-   -   Boxes are easy to load and keep contents organized, level and        protected. However, boxes require significant storage space when        not in use and are difficult to carry.    -   Folding cardboard boxes have become common. However these are        essentially disposable and are not intended for prolonged,        repeated use, and are also difficult to carry.    -   Folding plastic boxes are reusable, but are also difficult to        carry.    -   Cloth bags are reusable, require little storage space and are        comfortable to carry. The problem with cloth bags is that their        soft sides do not keep contents level, well organized or        protected, and bags can be difficult to load because they        collapse when they are empty.    -   “Pop up” hamper containers utilizing wire springs stay open for        easy loading but can be difficult, and even dangerous, to        operate. They lack a solid base and do not keep contents stable        when carried. They have poorly positioned handles and are        cumbersome to carry.    -   “Trunk organizers” that are collapsible have poorly positioned        handles. They are awkward to carry and fail to keep contents        stable or protected.    -   There are cloth and mesh collapsible cube-shaped containers that        do hold their shape when empty. However, these have poorly        positioned, awkward handles, and do not retain their shape when        carried while loaded.

Insofar as I am aware, this invention is the only single container thatthat addresses all these limitations.

SUMMARY

The invention, an improved container for carrying goods, is acollapsible cloth container with a center divider and an integratedpadded shoulder strap. It combines the positive characteristics of beingrigid and maintaining its shape when open, whether empty or heavilyloaded, being easy to open and collapse, being comfortable for the usereven when loaded, and being essentially flat when in the collapsedposition. Additional positive characteristics are:

-   -   Rigid shape makes loading easy and protects contents when        container is carried.    -   Mesh walls allow contents to breath, drain, dry, and be easily        seen for packing, organizing and retrieving.    -   Reinforced base and center divider protect and organize        contents.    -   Nylon and plastic materials make container water-proof, durable        and reusable.    -   Placement of carrying straps allows the base to remain        essentially flat even when heavily loaded.    -   Sliding, padded shoulder strap provides comfort and allows the        contents to remain level with minimal pressure against the        user's hip when carried, thus providing comfort and protecting        contents.    -   Carrying handles are padded for comfort, can be used instead of        the shoulder strap for easy one-handed carrying, and can be        moved aside so as not to interfere with loading.    -   Non-slip base keeps container from sliding.    -   Light weight construction.    -   Can easily be customized by adding external pockets and elastic        cords for additional storage, organization, and security of        contents.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral side view of the container in the open position.

FIG. 2 is a lateral end view of the container in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a lateral top view of the container in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container in the open position.

FIG. 5 is a lateral top view of the container in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a lateral side view of the invention in the open position. Itconsists of a rectangular base (nylon cloth, reinforced with a sheet ofplastic) (1), and four walls made out of stiff nylon mesh (2). A centerdivider, made of the same mesh (3), is permanently attached to thecenter of the base and can be raised to connect vertically to the centerof the long mesh walls with Velcro strips and snaps (4). The top edgesof all four walls, the top edge of the center divider, the two verticaledges of the center divider, and the vertical corners of the containerare all reinforced by thin reinforcing rods (5) in order to give thecontainer a rigid shape when in the open position. The reinforcing rodsalong the top edges of the long walls are cut at the center in order toallow the long walls to fold diagonally along the creased folds (6) inthe manner described later. Extending above the top edges of thecontainer are two nylon carrying straps (7), connected to the mesh wallswith plastic D-rings (8), joined by a sliding nylon padded shoulderstrap (9). The sliding characteristic of the shoulder strap isaccomplished by clips at the ends of the shoulder strap clipping ontoplastic rings that permanently encircle the carrying straps (10). Twostabilizing handles (11) are centered along the top edges of the longwalls. A handle is attached to the center of one long edge of the base(12) for easy carrying when the invention is in its collapsed state.

FIG. 2 is a lateral end view of the invention in the open position. Itconsists of a rectangular reinforced base (1), four mesh walls (2), topedges with reinforcing rods (3), carrying handles (4), a padded shoulderstrap (5), and an optional accessory pocket with elastic closure (6).

FIG. 3 is a lateral top view of the invention in the open position. Itconsists of a rectangular reinforced base (1), four mesh walls (2),center divider with reinforcing rod in the top edge (3), top edges ofthe walls with reinforcing rods (4), carrying handles (5), and onepadded sliding shoulder strap (6).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in the open position. Itconsists of a reinforced base (1), four mesh walls (2), a center divider(3) held in place by Velcro strips and snaps (4), with a reinforcing rodin the top edge and vertical edges of the center divider (5), two nyloncarrying handles (6), one sliding shoulder strap (7), four diagonalcreases (8) for folding when the center divider is lowered, and twooptional accessory pockets on the outside of the end walls (9) and (10).

FIG. 5 is a lateral top view of the invention in the closed position. Itconsists of two end walls (1) and (2), with reinforcing rods (3) and(4), folded down and laying flat on top of the other walls and base, twooptional accessory pockets (5) and (6), and one carrying handle sewn tothe center of one long edge of the base (7).

This container is designed to be easy to store and transport in theclosed position. For this reason, light materials were selected and asmall carrying handle made of nylon webbing is attached at the center ofthe long edge of the base.

This container is also designed to be easy to carry, even when heavilyloaded. In order to keep loads flat, level and stable, carrying strapsare positioned to cross over the open container ¼ and ¾ of the way alongthe length of the long walls. Carrying straps are made of nylon webbingand are connected to the container with plastic “D rings.” Carryingstraps are long enough to be able to drape around the outside of the endwalls so as not to interfere with loading.

In addition to the increased comfort due to the positioning of thecarrying straps, a self-leveling shoulder strap is connected to thecarrying straps. Each end of the shoulder strap is connected to eachcarrying strap by means of a plastic clip, allowing the shoulder strapto slide freely to any number of “off-center” positions. This allows thecontainer to stay level, while at the same time allowing the user tostand upright. This feature further increases comfort by minimizing thepressure exerted by the container against the user's hip. This reducedpressure and level orientation further protect potentially fragilecontents, as the strap angles up toward the user's shoulder. Theshoulder strap is made of wide nylon webbing and includes a padded,non-slip shoulder piece.

A piece of non-slip rubber is attached to the bottom of the base to keepthe container from sliding around in the trunk of the user's car orother slippery surfaces.

Operation

To collapse, the center divider must be disconnected from the top edgesof the long walls. The center divider can then lie flat against theinside base of the container. Allow the carrying straps and shoulderstrap to fall within the container. Next, the four walls are folded downin one, easy, two-handed process. Place one hand on the center of thetop edge of each long wall. Fold the center of one long wall down overthe center of the other long wall following the diagonal creases thatextend from the lower-end corner of the long wall, to the top-center ofthe long wall. As both long walls fold toward each other and lay, one ontop of the other, in a triangular shape, the end walls will alsosimultaneously fold down and lay on top of the folded long walls. Thus,in the folded state, the straps, the center divider, and all four wallslay flat, on top of, and within, the dimensions of the base. Thecontainer is secured in its folded state by means of Velcro tabs.

An equally easy two-handed process is required to open the container.Disconnect the Velcro tabs. Lift the end walls up and away from thecenter. As you do, the long walls will also come up. When the containeris open, lift the center divider and connect its Velcro tabs and snapsto the center of the top edges of each long wall. Again, after thecenter divider is connected to the long walls, the container willmaintain a rigid shape.

Though it will decrease the container's rigidity, a user may choose notto raise and connect the center divider and use the container withoutthe center divider's additional support. This will allow the containerto accommodate larger items.

The container was designed primarily as an alternative to paper orplastic shopping sacks, though its uses as a tote and container go farbeyond shopping. As a shopping tool, however, its size and shape areintended to maximize the space in the greatest number of shopping cartsand shopping check-out counters. In its open, un-collapsed state, it'sdimensions are 23″ long×13½″ wide×11″ deep. Similarly, as a shoppingtool, pockets have been added to the outside of the end walls toaccommodate coupons, shopping lists and smaller reusable shopping sacks.

Though the invention was designed as a shopping tool, its uses as a toteand a container go far beyond shopping. Different proportionaldimensions, materials and different outside pocket configurations andcoverings can be easily incorporated into the overall design.

1. A collapsible container for carrying goods, comprising: a rigidrectangular base mounted along the perimeter to four stiff, foldablewalls whose height is no greater than half the total length of said baseforming an enclosure in which objects can be placed, and which can becollapsed by means of folding two opposing walls inward along diagonalcreases overlapping in a triangular configuration while subsequentlycollapsing the remaining opposing walls inward into an essentially flatstate, an additional rectangular piece of stiff material permanentlyattached on one edge to the center of said base in such a manner that itcan be raised to a vertical orientation and secured to the walls of saidenclosure enabling the enclosure to retain a rigid configuration andenabling the volume of said enclosure to be divided in half, two handlesattached to the top edge of two opposing said walls in a transversemanner enabling said enclosure to be easily carried, and one shoulderstrap attached in a sliding manner on each end to one of the saidtransverse handles, whereby (a) in the extended, open position, saidenclosure will maintain its rigid shape, (b) the sliding shoulder strapwill allow potential contents of the enclosure to remain level while atthe same time allowing the user to remain in a comfortable uprightposture, (c) when empty, the center divider can be disconnected from theside walls and folded inward in such a way that the enclosure may becollapsed to an essentially flat position.